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Letters to the Editor Friday

Posted: September 13, 2012 - 11:17pm

While Savannah City Council was in Greenville visiting the baseball stadium and Bi-Lo center, it would have been great if they could have had the mayor take them on a tour of Greenville High School, which is celebrating their 125th anniversary.

The school is 47 percent white and 65 percent of the students receive reduced price or free lunches. They should find out why parents and/or their children from families that can afford to attend the most expensive private schools prefer attendance to the historic public school. Students attending the school range from the richest to the poorest families.

Savannah should strive to put this pride in our students and parents in our local schools. Maybe we could have a few fundraisers to help fund the trip. I’m sure the school system would be glad to share information.

Our school board members, mayor and city council should go online and seriously consider visiting this school.

GEORGE GRADY

Savannah

First Amendment not against religion

There are many ways to not tell the truth without lying. It can be done by talking around a subject, confusing the listener with too much information before reaching the subject, or just making a statement out of context.

Some famous or infamous person once said, “If you tell a lie often enough it will be believed eventually.” Sometimes just a slight misquote that sounds right, but isn’t, can change the whole meaning.

Mixing truths and lies or partially true statements can impart a falsehood and alter the understanding of the subject. A good (or poor) example of the latter is a letter to the editor on Sept. 12 by Alden Mead in a diatribe against the inclusion of the word God in the Democratic convention plank.

I quote the true/actual wording of the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of; (the rest is about free speech, press, the right to assemble and petition the government).

So you can see that, with the simple addition of the word “forbids” in an otherwise true statement, the writer either intentionally or ignorantly changed a guarded freedom into a prohibition. The First Amendment ensures freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

RAY RIDEOUT

Savannah

Political parties shouldn’t refer to God

I am responding to the letter to the editor, “Political parties should block the ‘G’ Word,’” by Alden Mead on Sept. 10. I agree with Alden that political parties should not have any reference to “God” or gods in their platform.

I disagree with the writer’s logic on the view of our Constitution. If our Constitution is more important in the political life than the “platform” of any political party and it, our Constitution, does not refer to God, then the political parties should follow suit. Why? Because all people elected to federal office are expected to follow the letter and intent of our Constitution, not supersede it.

What is our Constitution? It is a contract between the federal government and the states that have ratified our Constitution or have been added in accordance with federal law. It is also a contract between the federal government and its citizens.

The Preamble of our Constitution recognizes that there is a power greater than any government. The writers of our Constitution, 55 gathered to draft and hundreds that gathered at state capitols, were very wise when they left out the word “God.”

Each understood that it would probably take force, of some kind, to have two or more agree on the definition or context of God in our country.

DAVID A. MAULE

Savannah

EMT’s kindness shows there’s still hope

I was in a car accident recently and was appalled that it took metro police 12 minutes to arrive to the scene. Southside Fire/EMT literally arrived less than two minutes after my call to 911.

The EMTs had to wait for the police to show up and get my info before being transported to Memorial hospital.

I have no idea what the holdup was, but I am truly grateful for the EMTs who talked to me in a manner that made me feel like I mattered and got me out of my car in a manner that was very respectful and thoughtful.

To the gentleman EMT who was the first to arrive to my accident, thank you for making me laugh through my pain. He held my head straight and spoke to me in a manner that I could relate to him and him to me.

The kindness and respect that these brave emergency workers showed me proved there may still be hope for this city.

DANIELLE BARCROFT

Savannah

Screven County football gets no respect

I usually very much enjoy your slideshows on savannahnow.com. One of Sept. 11 slideshows is the Screven County/Effingham County football game of Sept. 7.

I am very disappointed that of 122 photos, only five show Screven County (either players or band) at all. The rest are entirely Effingham County.

It may come as a shock, but we Screven Countians read savannahnow.com also and welcome our photos posted as well. Not only that, but Screven County whipped the tar out of Effingham.

In the future, please limit your prejudice.

JANIS REDDICK

Sylvania

Is it asking too much to pull up those pants?

Will someone please explain to me the theory behind baggy pants when worn in public?

Is it just to prove one is wearing skivvies or to show disrespect for other people?

Please don’t tell me the prison story again. I have heard it so many times. As someone once said, even a lame excuse is better than none.

I believe the baggy pants subject was mentioned during a city council meeting and the mayor said she was not in favor of a dress code.

Do we really need a dress code to insist that men keep their breeches pulled up when in public? Why is this asking too much? Is this not a civilized society we live in?

I see this everyday at the mall and I ask myself, maybe it’s a prerequisite to enter the mall?

I know city hall has it’s plate full, but with the help of mall managers maybe we can get a handle on this uncouth situation.

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Mr. Anthony, most of us are disgusted with seeing these idiots with their pants dragging the ground. However, good luck getting any "official" action on the matter. They tried such a few years ago in an Atlanta burb and immediately got slapped by the ACLU for "racial profiling." Wanna hear the funniest part? The man who proposed the ban on dragging pants was an African-American alderman.

is just an "in your face" thing by the idiots that wear their pants like they do. But, hey, they're the best kind of people for the police to foot chase when they break the law. The police don't have to chase them that far before they fall on their butts...LOL.

They wear their pants sagging down to their hips on purpose for attention. If everybody would ignore them they would get tired of one of their hands always needing to pull them up. Best thing, totally ignore them.

Another thing,malls, restaurants and other places of business should have signs on all of their entrances saying "No entrance to anyone without pants cinched at the waist." Some places use to or still do have signs saying "No shoes, no shirt, no business." It's just another dress requirement. If enough places of business did this we might see a change at least when you are out shopping and or eating.

Danielle, I'm glad you are okay following your traffic accident. You are lucky anyone showed up period let alone late. When I lived in the city, I went through the same thing. The next time you need the Police, Instead of calling 911, you may get a faster response time by calling Krispy Kreme.

Thank you SMN for posting my letter! I should have added, when the officer arrived at the hospital to speak with me, I had to explain that it was POURING rain when the accident happened... He had listed "dry surface", on my ticket. Yes, I received a ticket; I expected one as I was making a left into traffic. The officer remarked, "Well it was not raining where I was when I got the call". Really? Am I the only person who has experienced the fact that you can be driving in town and it's not raining, but on the other side it is?? I am not saying this officer was in any way out of line, but he remarked to my husband and I that he did notice there was a large tree and branches that may have obstructed my view. I guess I should be happy as this officer stated that he gave me the “lowest” ticket he could.